Digital Asset Management is all About Asking the Right Questions

8 May 2016

What questions?

You can go a long way in DAM if you just ask the right questions. So, please bear with me for a brief line of questioning, and let's consider the fact that employees typically spend 30% of their time looking for or producing digital files that are already to be found within the organization. Let’s ask the simple question 'Why is it so?' - as in:

"Why would employees be spending almost a third of their time looking for digital files?"

Well, the answer is probably because they don't know if the files they are looking for already exist, or if they do know, then they have no comprehensive idea of where to look for them. If that is the case, then:

"Why don't they know if the files exist or where to look?"

Again, an answer could be because they don't have the proper search tools, or complete overview of all the digital files available to them, or available to their colleagues. If that's so, then:

"Why don’t they have an overview or any such search tools?"

And at this point, the answer must be because there is no system or process in place to ensure that all digital files are managed and available to them.

"Why is there no system or process in place to ensure such management and availability?"

It's because no decision has been made to implement such a system or process, or if a decision was made, then it's probable that either the system or processes are not properly doing what they were supposed to do, or they have not been made available to all members of the organization.

"Why has no decision been made to implement such a system or process, or why aren't they working as expected?"

That is a really good question, and part of the answer is probably that decision makers need to know where to look for such a system, and what to look for, understand the costs and benefits involved with implementing such solutions and processes, include other stakeholders from the organization to champion a solution and ensure a wide adaptation, and finally make a proposal from which decisions can be made. This decision to implement a digital asset management solution is what will turn your digital files into digital assets.

Sounds simple enough, doesn't it? Well, it is - but it does take project management. To get you there, however, you first need buy-in from your management and team. In the following, I shall list the top reasons you should consider when investing in a Digital Asset Management system. As always, an investment is expected to offer returns - this is no exception - and I intend to list some of the main benefits you should expect to reap from such an investment, both in terms of reduced cost and also in terms of increased efficiency.

In today’s digital age, the growth in digital files is exploding. Implementing a solid DAM-software and making sure it's being properly used to reap the benefits, involves one of the most important decisions you can make. All the good reasons are there, so make sure to read the full series of posts.

Let's take a look at the number one reason why investing in digital asset management is a good idea - head on over to our next post for the most important reason you should invest in a DAM.

Key Insights & Pointers

Approaching the problem...is about asking the right questions…and identifying the root cause.

Where in the DAM process are you now? What is your next step? How do you get there?

If you didn't read the first post in this series, and want to read all of them - start with this one

Source

*Gleansight Benchmark Report 2014, by Gleanster LLC

Cato Salter

I’ve been working with media asset management for the past 10 years, and my experience includes managing workflows for handling large volumes of video content, licensing and copyright issues, as well as being the head of a large stock video agency for several years. Recently, I’ve focused on digital asset management in general, and my main responsibilities include creative and marketing here at FotoWare. Implementing a DAM in your organization can bring about great gains in efficiency, and my goal for these posts is to help you see the value of digital asset management and hopefully convey some thoughts and ideas you did not already consider. If you have questions or ideas - reach out, I’m always keen to gain new insights and learn from others.